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I don't understand the negative reviews on this page. I went recently (last Monday) and the hostess told me that this was a more traditional Japanese restaurant. I took that and went in and thoroughly enjoyed my time. I ordered several types of sushi and cooked food, and the quality and presentation was well worth the price. I think that people who go here expecting American style sushi will be disappointed by the lack of the mega-roll with deep fried cream cheese options (none), but for a person looking for real sushi like what would be served in Japan this is the place to go. This is definitely not the place to go if you're looking for big box sushi, but the selection and quality is unsurpassed in this area. Well worth the price for unapologetically authentic Japanese cuisine in an environment that will make you forget you're in Dupont.

I lived across the street for 3 years and don't understand all of the hype and why there is a wait to eat mediocre sushi at a very high price. It is fresh, but aside from that, I will travel across town for better value. Atmosphere is poor. I expect great service at these $$$$. Want to go out of your way in DC for great fresh Japanese sushi? - go to Glover Park to Sushi-Ko. For cheap eats, try Kotobuki in the Palisades. Both are fresh, with Sushi-Ko providing a better atmosphere. They both make the favorites list of the Washingtonian. Sushi Taro does not.

I can understand what the other guests are saying. I loved the old Sushi Taro - the chefs were real Japanese sushi chefs, there was a variety of traditional Japanese cuisine and the environment was great. It closed for renovations and my hopes were that it could just get better. Unfortunately, not. The new design of the restaurant is nice but just too fancy for being one of the only true Japanese sushi restaurants. When you enter the restaurant there is a bar, which takes away the authenticity of a Japanese restaurant; it made it feel more like a diner. The menu was way too fancy. Let there be no doubt, the sushi was great and the fish was fresh, but for those that arent familiar with this type of sushi, it can be confusing. Traditional dishes like negimaki, edamame, teryaki, a tuna roll!, soft shell crab, are just no longer available. They ask you to brush the soy sauce on the sushi as oppose to dip it. I lived in Tokyo for over a year and ate sushi and other traditional Japanese cuisine and I never did that. Traditional Japanese is the way Sushi Taro use to be. Also, they do not allow any takeout orders. Chefs/Owners - have some flexibility and bring back the old menu. You have the pontential to be the best sushi again but just change your menu a bit.

I am not sure what the other reviewers are talking about. This is one of the best sushi restaurants I have ever been too. I now live in LA and can't find one as good. I make it a point to go anytime i am back in DC. And you can always see Japanese diplomats eating there. That is always a good sign that it is authentic.

My sister and I tried to come here on a friday night but were turned away since it was so crowded. So we came the following Saturday to see what all the rave was about. They do not take reservations on saturdays, so we had to wait app. 40 minutes...but this was w/in one hr the restaurant opening @ 5:30 pm! While we were waiting so many people came in and left after they heard how long the wait was. When we finally got to sit down, we were unfortunately shocked at the normal-ness of the menu. Nothing jumped out as a "must try" or sounded really good. The only two good things I can say about the menu: 1.they have a ridiculous amount of many different appetizers to try 2.you can order tempura by the piece. Also, they do have a wide selection of different sushi/sashimi. Otherwise, don't come here! We got their spicy scallop roll, dragon roll, soft shell crab tempura appetizer and pieces of tempura. The food was average but not worth the price or the wait.....nothing special!

I have been here many times and each time I say I won't go back. The only reason I do is because it's close to my house. Ther service is seriously lacking and it's too pricey for what you get. Last night I had very grainy tuna. When I brought it to the server's and sushi chef's attention (we were sitting at the bar), they blew us off and told us we didn't know about fish. I then asked for them to replace the remaining grainy fish. They replaced them with something else, but ended up charging us double. I'm sick of this place. I don't care if Japanese people frequent here. There are too many good sushi joints to eat at in this city, and this is not one of them.

The sushi was tiny, at least by American standards. NY sushi is about three times the size. And the service was mediocre.